Bantams knocked out in marathon penalty shoot-out at Grimsby

(Grimsby win 9-8 on penalties)

GRAHAM Alexander had made a point of practising penalties in the build-up but ultimately City were beaten on the spot.

Neill Byrne’s saved effort proved the difference as the Mariners edged a marathon shoot-out 9-8 after the game had finished in a draw.

City had already missed a penalty in the 90 minutes through Richie Smallwood before Andy Cook came off the bench to equalise.

Alexander made five changes from the line-up that won at MK Dons on opening day.

They included a first City start for Vadaine Oliver since Derby in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy in January.

But he would not make half-time as he left the pitch a frustrated figure with a head injury.

Clarke Oduor and Jamie Walker slotted into the supporting midfield roles with Lewis Richards replacing Tyreik Wright at left wing-back and Jack Shepherd making his full debut to give Ciaran Kelly a breather in defence.

All those taken out of the side were on a bench extended to nine for the cup competition. New recruit Olly Sanderson was among the subs but again there was no Alex Gilliead, Tyler Smith or Sam Stubbs.

Their continued absence will have added significance with the close of the window just over a fortnight away.

City looked to make another fast start as they had done at Stadium MK. Shepherd had the ball in the net from Oduor’s first corner but the whistle had blown for a foul.

But Sam Walker was then called into action to make a sharp save from Jordan Davies as Grimsby countered.

City were asking most of the early questions with Oduor and Smallwood prominent in the build-up play and Richards a willing outlet on the left.

Jake Eastwood was forced into a good block from Brad Halliday’s well-struck effort. Oliver headed across goal from the resulting corner.

Charles Vernam, playing against City for the first time since his Valley Parade exit, delivered a teasing cross beyond the stretching Davies. The winger then looked to shoot but Shepherd shut him down at source.

Andy Cook nets City's equaliser - his first goal of the season (Image: Thomas Gadd)

City were handed a glorious chance to break the deadlock on the half hour as Shepherd’s shirt was pulled by Kieran Green from Oduor’s corner.

Premier League referee David Coote pointed straight to the spot and Smallwood stepped up to replicate his last-gasp penalty at the same end from April.

But this time he smashed the ball against the top of the bar before it pinged off the bottom of the stand roof above the stunned away support.

That escape inevitably lifted Grimsby and the home crowd – and within four minutes they were celebrating again with the first goal.

Grimsby captain Green made amends for his part in the penalty as he crossed from the right and Donovan Wilson held off Neill Byrne and steered home a low effort from close range.

Momentum was now with the Mariners as half-time approached and Davies fired a rising drive over from 25 yards.

Oliver was forced off after a nasty head clash right on the break. Cook was summoned and straight away won a header in the box and saw a shot charged down.

City were nearly caught out on the break at the start of the second half as Green got clear. But Walker got a hand on his cross-shot to divert it past the post.

Cook threatened from a City corner but Grimsby scrambled the ball out of the six-yard box.

Jamie Walker then picked Vernam’s pocket in the home half but his low curler was held by Eastwood.

With City pushing more men forward, Walker tested Eastwood again at his near post but the keeper was equal to it.

But there was always a danger on the break and Vernam was a whisker away from punishing his old club.

Jake Young, Antoni Sarcevic and Bobby Pointon came on as a triple sub midway through the half. Kavanagh, one of those replaced, kicked the dug-out in frustration.

Young spotted Eastwood slightly out of his goal and tried his luck as City knocked on the door.

And it finally opened on 77 minutes from a well-worked team goal.

Oduor, switched to left wing-back with Richards off, looked to find the far corner, Eastwood parried his effort and there was Cook lurking to finish.

He was off the mark for the season with another goal against an ex-employer and stood brooding in celebration in front of the home fans.

Cook sent another thumping header straight at Eastwood in the four added minutes before the game went to spot-kicks.

Smallwood made up for earlier with an emphatic start before Walker denied Green with a fine save.

But Halliday’s miss allowed Grimsby straight back in and a succession of well-placed efforts followed until Byrne’s 10th City effort was saved by Eastwood.